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Med. Pr. 2006;57(6):517-524

Knowledge, hygiene behavior and risk of bloodborne infections in the selected staff of beauty parlors and hairdressing salons

Wiedza i zachowania higieniczne oraz ryzyko incydentów stwarzających możliwość zakażenia na drodze krwiopochodnej w wybranej pop

Bartosz Bilski, Barbara Marynowicz Medical University of Poznań, Poland

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to examine hygiene practices and risk factors for bloodborne infections in the selected staff of beauty parlors and hairdressing salons. Material and Methods: In this study, 118 people (112 women and 6 men), aged 18ś55 years, were surveyed. The majority of the respondents (76 people) fell within the 20ś29 age group. Results: Negligence in obeying some rules of work hygiene were found in the surveyed group of workers; at the same time most of theparlors and salons met legal requirements concerning sanitation and equipment hygiene. Of the total group of respondents, 53% of the staff employed in beauty parlors and hairdressing salons replied "Yes" to a question on incidents of sharp injuries during typical work activities over the last 2 years. The staff of hairdressing salons reported more accidents of this kind. Conclusions: It is necessary to teach this group of employees about hygiene and sanitary practices. The current state of affairs in this small, but quite representative occupational group shows considerable ignorance in this regard. As for sanitation and disease control, special attention must be paid to the constant observance of hygiene rules at work. In particular, hands should be kept clean, gloves should be worn and adequate microbiological cleanliness of tools should be ensured. Inspection services should pay particular attention to whether the rules of handling used materials, a potential source of infection, are obeyedby workers. The results of numerous studies show that a large majority of parlors and salons to cut their operating costs do not follow relevant regulations in force. Incidents of staff exposure to potentially infectious material are usually connected with mechanical skin injuries. Contact with mucous membranes is less frequent. It should be pointed out that employees failed to wear protective gloves during incidents of exposure to potentially infectious material. Scissors, the major tool used by the staff of hairdressing salons were most frequently the cause of injuries.

Key words

bloodborne infections, hairdressers, beauty parlors